REEF AQUARIUM CORAL PROPAGATION LAB

CORALLINEALGAE PROPAGATIONRESEARCHPAGE

Coralline algae is one of the most important things to grow on tank raised
live rocks. Coralline algae can not grow in a system until you introduce it
by adding live rocks. The more types of Coralline that you introduce the more
types you will find growing on your tank raised live rocks. In our research
lab we have experimented with several different methods to aid the advancement
of coraline growth. We have noticed that new coralline algae starts to seed
itself in the first month and it usually is found on the bottom base rock where
the lighting is not so bright. This may have something to do with the fact that
all our tanks are started by adding GARF Grunge, which has an abundent mixure
of small pieces of coralline algae.

Several colors of Coralline algae can be grown on the same tank
raised live rock. Calcium is one of the most important things to add to your
live rock growing tanks. Calcium levels in your live rock grow out tanks should
be kept at about 400 mg/L at a specific gravity of 1.024. We have found that
by using SeaChems Reef Builder and Reef Advantage in alternating doses in
our make-up water we have had no trouble keeping both the calcium and alkalinity
at the proper levels for rapid coralline growth. This simple method of treating
our make-up water also keeps the strontium level in our grow out tanks high
enough for the coralline algae to thrive.

This picture shows tank grown aragonite live rocks that are
8 weeks old. The Coraline algae has started to cover the aragonite. You must
keep the Phosphate level in the live rock grow out tank very low. Protein
skimming is important in the grow out tanks because it controls phosphate.
Make-up water can be a source of phosphate. You may need a reverse osmosis
or deionization system if your water source has phosphates. Feeding is the
most common source of high phosphate levels. We use a phosphate removing filter
in tanks that are not producing coralline algae fast enough.

Lighting the live rock grow out tank with 2 Triton
40 watt bulbs to each Blue Moon 40 watt bulb
has produced the fastest growth of Coraline algae. We keep the lights on for
14 hours and the Coraline algae grows on every part of the rock that is exposed
to the light. We have found many types of coralline algae that thrive in different
types of light. Some colors of coralline grow best in the top section of the
grow out tanks while others always grow best in the lowest part of the system.
The best way to get good coralline algae growth on your tank raised live rock
is to start the systems with a large number of different species of coralline
algae.

Corallinealgae
adds color

CORALLINE ALGAE is a very important thing to have growing
on your combination tank grown live rock.

Coralline algae prevents other algae from growing

The bright colors add value to tank raised live rock

Coralline covered rocks will seed reef aquariums

Mixed colors of coralline algae are rare in nature

Coraline algae sells the live rock

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